Canadian Government Knew of Iron Dump

May have been involved in planning

The Canadian government knew of Russ George’s plans to dump 100 tons of iron sulfate into the Pacific Ocean over the summer, according to a report in The Guardian. The paper obtained documents revealing that officers from Environment Canada were aware of the impending dump before it happened. They expressed concerns about the idea of ocean fertilization, but it doesn’t appear that they took any further action. George maintains that the government’s involvement went way beyond that. "Canadian government people have been helping us,” he told The Guardian. “We've had workshops run where we've been taught how to use satellite resources by the Canadian space agency. [The government] is trying to 'cost-share' with us on certain aspects of the project. And we are expecting lots more support as we go forward." The dump caused a huge algal bloom that can been seen from space, and it is in violation of two international conventions that outlaw for-profit ocean fertilization attempts. Environment Canada did not comment on the story, saying, “The matter is currently under investigation.”